The Thread of An Idea

9 Nov

The idea was born in late summer when we began planning for the year to come. We looked back at what The Super Power Agency had achieved and were proud. But, without core funding we would yet again need to be creative and clever to enable our charity to grow.

Every year the agency supports more than 1000 pupils learning in deprived areas of Edinburgh. Working alongside teachers, our mentors and workshop leaders inspire pupils to tap into their imaginations and write their own stories. From these stories books are published and confidence, as well as literacy levels, are boosted. And now Glasgow and The Borders are calling.

We needed more funding and suddenly we knew, a sale of brilliant and beautiful fabric could be our bright idea for the coming year. But would it be a success? And exactly how could The Fabric of Imagination be organised?

Glorious Generosity

Like most charities, the agency relies on brilliant volunteers and donors. The thing they have in common? A recognition that this world is not fair and that literacy and learning are key to releasing the potential of every young person.

Desperate hunger for good food and knowledge is still real in the UK. Everyone involved in the agency’s work is determined to make a difference. So within days, the extraordinary team at Tissus d’Hélène of course agreed to donate fabric, and The Feather Company of course agreed to donate feather pads for which our brilliant volunteers of course created simply stunning cushions. What I did not realise was that hundreds of metres of fabric and dozens of accessories would be coming our way but then, of course, the fabulous Bee Smart Removal Company said they would transport it all, just as soon as we could confirm our venue.

An Angel’s Gem

When I launched the agency in 2016, high profile authors agreed to help. And they were amazing for inspiring kids and helping generate great PR. From day one, another of our supporters was a beautiful and brilliant fabric lover who took part in workshops with great spirit and wit. Her name was Stella Tennant. And when Stella’s family agreed to us using her work studio for our Pop-Up sale, we knew we had been given a huge helping hand towards success.

A Gathering of Happy

Before we opened the doors to The Fabric of Imagination, our community of volunteer creatives had been busy preparing for the day. The handmade cushions had been delivered, news had been spread and thanks to the local traffic warden (a keen fabric lover!), free parking secured. But would anyone actually arrive to buy? OMG! We were absolutely inundated by a fabulous crowd of local people, design students, crafters, furniture makers, upholsterers and recyclers.

The virtual threads from the beautiful fabric had truly spread far and wide. And what we gained was a joyful coming together of people, all with a love of making and designing. During our two sale days, approximately 300 people passed through the doors of Stella’s studio and an almost tangible hum of happiness accompanied every moment.

Onwards

Thanks to the efforts of everyone involved in The Fabric of Imagination, the work of The Superpower Agency will continue to move forward. But we are ambitious and no doubt, by the end of next summer we will have devised new creative and clever ways of solving budgetary challenges. In the meantime, if you would like to host your own fund-raising Fabric & Stitching Sale, contact me and your very own Fabric of Imagination kit will be sent.

With huge thanks & love to The Fabric of Imagination Super Heroes

Jane Milne
Ailsa Dent
Kalubi Sankara
Thomas Hawson
Claire Heffernan